Stuck in the middle
A look at the Gophers' stay in Big Ten purgatory since their now-forfeited 16-2 conference championship season of 1996-97. In these 17 seasons, the Gophers have finished in the Big Ten's top four only once (2004-05) and have one NCAA tournament victory (2013):
SeasonOverallBig TenFinishCoachPostseason
2013-1425-138-107thRichard PitinoNo NCAA; NIT champions
2012-1321-138-108thTubby SmithNCAA tournament, lost second rd.
2011-1223-156-129thSmithNo NCAA; NIT runner-up
2010-1117-146-129thSmithNone
2009-1021-149-96thSmithNCAA tournament; lost first rd.
2008-0922-119-97thSmithNCAA tournament; lost first rd.
2007-0820-148-106thSmithNo NCAA; NIT first-rd. loss
2006-079-223-139thDan MonsonNone
2005-0616-155-1110thMonsonNo NCAA; NIT second-rd. loss
2004-0521-1110-64thMonsonNCAA tournament; lost first rd.
2003-0412-183-1310thMonsonNone
2002-0319-148-87thMonsonNo NCAA; NIT fourth-place
2001-0218-139-75thMonsonNo NCAA; NIT second-rd. loss
2000-0118-145-118thMonsonNo NCAA; NIT second-rd. loss
1999-0012-164-1210thMonsonNone
1998-9917-118-85thClem HaskinsNCAA tournament; lost first rd.
1997-9820-156-108thHaskinsNo NCAA; NIT champions